For the 6th Sunday of Easter, the three readings assigned are Acts 10:34-48; 1 John 5:1-8 and John 15:9-17. Chosen to preach on is 1 John 5:2, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.”

For a standing ovation Law and Gospel sermon, the first item we look for in the texts assigned for the Sunday is an apparent contradiction. And we find it in verse 2 of 1 John. The second step is to confuse the listener because of the tendency to read the Bible with the Old Adam rather than with the New Man. The question to ask this week in light of verse 2 is, “How do you know that you love the children of God.” Answer: “When we love God and keep His commandments.” Once more the listener is on the horns of a dilemma as the next question is asked, “Do you love God and keep His commandments?” If he answers “yes” it will seem that he is boasting of his works. If he answers “no” it will appear therefore that he does not love the children of God.

The problem is that the theologian of self-glory assumes that he has evidence of being saved because of the works done. And this verse appears to back this up. However, the theologian of the cross realizes that his assurance of salvation is objective, not subjective based on what he says, thinks or does. So how do we reconcile this verse with the theology of the cross?

We need not go far in the text. For John reveals that our Savior Jesus came by water and by blood. That could mean that he was born of a woman in the flesh. Or, as some would contend and I agree, the water and the blood refer to that which happened on the cross when He died. Water and blood came forth after the spear was thrust into His body.

But how about us? Where is our objective evidence that we also are part of the family of God? Verses 7 and 8 reveal that while in heaven those who bear witness to us are the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, here on earth God has given us the Spirit through the waters of baptism and the blood of the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is our assurance that we have been made a part of the family of God with our sins forgiven and the Holy Spirit making our bodies His temple. And the Lord’s Supper assures us that we remain in the one, true faith by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

When verse 2 speaks of us loving God and keeping His commandments, this is not from our point of view but from God’s. Remember, the goal of every Bible study and sermon is to get the listener to think like God. Since we are baptized into the body of Christ, we receive the benefits of His robe of righteousness. From God’s point of view, we indeed are loving Him and keeping His commandments when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and repent of our sins. That for us demonstrates the true relationship with have with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and assures us of eternal life.